Apple Combines Siri and Machine Learning Teams Under John Giannandrea

Apple has combined its Siri and Machine Learning teams under John Giannandrea, Google's former Chief of Search and AI, reports TechCrunch. Apple hired Giannandrea away from Google in April.

Apple confirmed this morning that the combined Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning team, which houses Siri, will be led by the recent hire, who came to Apple this year after an eight-year stint at Google, where he led the Machine Intelligence, Research and Search teams

The internal structures of the two teams are said to remain the same but they'll now report to Giannandrea. Apple has also updated its leadership page to list John Giannandrea as its Chief of Machine Learning and AI Strategy.

----John Giannandrea is Apple’s Chief of Machine Learning and AI Strategy, reporting to CEO Tim Cook. John joined Apple in 2018 and oversees the strategy for Artificial Intelligence and machine learning across the company and development of Core ML and Siri technologies.

Prior to Apple, John spent 8 years at Google where he led the Machine Intelligence, Research, and Search teams. Before this he co-founded two technology companies, Tellme Networks and Metaweb Technologies. Earlier in his career John was a Senior Engineer at General Magic.

John graduated from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland where he earned a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Computer Science, and was awarded a Doctorate Honoris Causa. John is on the board of trustees at the SETI Institute and Castilleja School.----